Tottenham Hotspur’s Jermain Defoe is helped from the pitch after an injury (AFP/Getty)

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has been ruled out of England’s friendly against Brazil on Wednesday due to the ankle injury which forced him off in the 1-0 victory over West Brom.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas confirmed in his post-match press conference that Defoe would be withdrawn from Roy Hodgson’s squad ahead of the Wembley clash.

Defoe suffered the injury in the first half at The Hawthorns, when he landed awkwardly on his left ankle after avoiding a challenge from Shane Long and was substituted.

Villas-Boas said Defoe would be sent for a scan to determine the extent of the damage.

As well as being a blow to Roy Hodgson’s England plans, Defoe’s injury represents a huge concern for Spurs who are already without the services of forward Emmanuel Adebayor, who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while a transfer deadline-day bid to bring in Brazil striker Leandro Damiao from Internacional failed to bear fruit.

West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League

Jermain Defoe of Spurs battles with Goran Popov of West Bromwich Albion (Getty)

Jermain Defoe of Spurs battles with Goran Popov of West Bromwich Albion (Getty)